Exciting news from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for fully vaccinated people, but what does it mean?

Dr. Orner's TL;DR

• Exciting, hopeful news.

• Make sure to check your state and local recommendations.

• Continue to wear a mask when traveling, at health care offices/hospitals, homeless shelters, and correctional facilities.

• Check the CDC's COVID-19 Travel Recommendations before planning to leave the country. There’s a long list of places they don’t recommend travel to right now.

• I don't think there is enough guidance for those who are frequently around people who are unvaccinated, children, immunocompromised, or otherwise vulnerable.

• When in doubt, wear a mask.

On May 13th, the CDC released its "Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People". As with anything COVID-related, there's been a flurry of media coverage and controversy.

Some people think that fully vaccinated people never need to wear a mask again.

Others believe the change is too soon and puts vulnerable people at risk.

Let's take a closer look at the key points from the update.

"The following recommendations apply to non-healthcare settings"

You may still be asked to wear a mask at your doctor's office, the hospital, and other health care locations.

More information on recommendations for healthcare settings can be found in the CDC's April update "Updated Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations in Response to COVID-19 Vaccination".

"Fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance."

The CDC’s recommendations do not override your state and local rules or regulations. So, if your state says vaccinated people still need to wear a mask, you still need to wear a mask. In Pennsylvania, the CDC's guidelines have gone into effect. Also, the plan is for the masking requirement to continue for unvaccinated people until 70% of Pennsylvania's adults are fully vaccinated.

I imagine it is very hard to make rules for an entire country. State and local health departments monitor COVID cases and trends closely and can provide guidance for their communities based on the data gathered. If the number of vaccinated people is too low, there is still a high risk of COVID spreading in the community and hurting vulnerable people.

The CDC states the risk of COVID infection is minimal for people who are fully vaccinated and that the risk of spread of the virus from a fully vaccinated person to an unvaccinated person is decreased. HOWEVER, they advise fully vaccinated people to continue to mask in a number of settings:

• correctional facilities/homeless shelters

• traveling on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation

"Fully vaccinated people can refrain from testing following a known exposure unless they are residents or employees of a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter."

Correctional facilities and homeless shelters are at high risk for the quick spread of COVID with potentially dire consequences. That is why it is important to be extra vigilant in these settings.

Fully vaccinated people should still monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after exposure to someone with COVID-19. If symptoms develop, people should isolate themselves and be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Remember, people who work in health care have a different set of recommendations.

International Travel

There is a long list of countries the CDC does not recommend visiting at this time. Check the specific CDC recommendations for the country you plan to visits here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html

Fully vaccinated people should check their destinations rules regarding COVID testing. The CDC does not require vaccinated travelers to be tested before leaving the US.

Fully vaccinated people coming to the US from abroad ARE required to have a negative COVID test before boarding a flight to the US.

All travels are recommended to get a COVID test 3-5 days after arriving in the US.

Unvaccinated People

People who are not vaccinated are still asked to do the following:

• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.

• Stay 6 feet apart from others who don’t live with you.

• Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you.

• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.

My thoughts.

I'm cautiously optimistic, which is my usual stance in life. I hope this will incentivize more people to get vaccinated.

I was hoping for more guidance for those living with, or frequently around, unvaccinated people, children, or other vulnerable populations. For now, the safest thing for those in that category seems to be to continue to wear a mask.

When in doubt, wear your mask and talk to your doctor.

Stay safe.

Love always,

Dr. Orner